Office in the kitchen

News

October 6, 2017

Dining in the kitchen: ideas for designing an office

When it comes to planning a kitchen refurbishment, an office, no matter the size, is now a priority. Learn about our ideas for installing a comfortable and practical dining area in your kitchen, even when space is limited.

1. Extended countertop as an office

If you’re considering the option of installing a kitchen island or peninsula, you could design a dining area by extending the worktop and adding some stools.

And to create a small office in the style of a breakfast bar, you can use the edge of the island or peninsula and extend the countertop by about 35 centimetres. That’s all the space you’ll need for your legs to fit comfortably. If you have more space available, you could consider the option of extending the countertop at one end and supporting it with legs made from the same material. Another option would be to use a steel or wooden support.

Measure the height of the worktop so you can choose the right stools. These should be at least 25 centimetres lower. If they’re any higher, you won’t be able to sit down comfortably. What’s more, when you’re not using it to enjoy a meal, it can serve as an extension to your worktop, so you’ll be able to work more efficiently and in greater comfort.

With Silestone quartz countertops and Dekton ultracompact surfaces, you’ll be able to design a continuous surface with no joins. And if you choose a Silestone worktop, you can have your sink fully integrated to create a practical, harmonious and impeccably designed space.

2.Kitchen and dining room combo

If you’re planning to carry out a complete refurbishment and you’re a fan of open spaces, you should consider the option of combining your kitchen and dining room by removing any partitions between the two. This is the perfect solution for creating a bright, open, roomy and very social space. That said, before you venture to knock any walls down, be sure to check that they’re partition walls and not load-bearing walls. The latter are used to support your home’s structural features, such as vaults, arches, concrete joists, rafters and the roof. You should always consult a professional when carrying out refurbishments of this type. That’s because even partition walls can become load-bearing structures due to the settling that occurs over time. This could also restrict any possible alterations that are being considered.

3.Tables joined to islands or peninsulas

If you have a kitchen island or peninsula, you’ll be able to connect a table to the back of it. And if the table design you choose has wheels, you’ll be able to move it around comfortably, adapting it to your needs and the number of diners at any give time. In kitchens with large floors, you can join the table to the side of the island that doesn’t have any storage space, cupboards, drawers or appliances.

4.Folding breakfast bar

If you have limited space, you can design a small office for your kitchen by fitting a folding breakfast bar to one of the walls, preferably the one that has least things attached. You can then pull it out whenever you need it and fold it away when it’s not required. To make the most of the available space, it’s best to choose stools or tall chairs that are either folding or stackable so that they can be easily stored when not in use.

For two people, choose a breakfast bar with a minimum width of 120cm and a depth of between 35 and 45cm.

5.Retractable shelves

If you fit retractable shelves underneath the countertop, you can create an original office space that will remain out of sight when not required. These types of worktops may be extended without any support, or they may use some sort of leg or support that deploys automatically when you bring the shelf out.

6.Independent office areas

You don’t need a particularly large space to install an office table, so if you have sufficient room, you can join it to the walls of the kitchen. You should calculate the amount of space the chairs will occupy. You’ll need to leave 70cm behind each seat in order to move it properly and sit down and stand up. You can complete the arrangement with a ceiling lamp, placed about 70cm from the worktop, that shines light directly onto the surface of the table.

And if you have enough room to place the table in the centre of your kitchen, you should choose a round model, as that will allow you to get much more out of the available space. Bear in mind that a table with a diameter of 75cm is perfect for four people. You should also take into consideration that each diner needs about 60 centimetres’ width of space in order to sit comfortably at a square or rectangular table.